Cairn — unclassified in Macha Ghrianáin

This monument, located on the S slope of the ridge that runs between Cloonaghlin and Iskanamacteery loughs, was excavated by O'Connell and interpreted as a burial cairn (1937, 119-20; NMI- 'near Cahersiveen'). Before excavation the dimensions of the pear-shaped cairn were recorded as 31 feet (9.44m) x 24 feet (7.31m) and 7 feet (2.13m) high. O'Connell uncovered three 'cists', each of which was capped with lintels. That at S measured 6 feet (1.82m) x 2 feet (.6m) and was 2 feet (.6m) deep, its W end plunging to a depth of 6 feet (1.82m); it contained a fill of stone chips, on which rested bone fragments, identified by O'Connell as human, and two 'sandstone chips, much resembling arrowheads' (O'Connell 1937, 120). It has been suggested that this feature may be a corn-drying kiln (information: C. Manning), and doubt has been cast on the identifications of the bone and stone chips found in it. The two other 'cists' occurred directly to the N; no finds were noted in their stone infills. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 399. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013